Flip flops and shorts at a wedding
I forgot how nice it was to sleep in a bed and its fantastic. Maybe it's waking up to a huge breakfast and coffee and getting to go to the bathroom in the warmth. Breakfasts in Germany are pretty special, lots of soft pretzels, meats, jams, fruit, juice and lots if coffee. Yum! We slept in until 9 and by the time we finished breakfast it was 11.
We first went to visit Andy's grandparents who live across the street from his aunt and uncle where we are staying. They are so sweet. His grandfather had a stroke this year but is in amazing spirits all the time. So nice to be around although I don't understand a word they say. We then picked up Cathrin at the bus stations who just had an interview at GSK in Munich. We went to the Schlappen and got beers and flamcuchen, oh how I've missed it since our last time in Germany! Andy had to buy a shirt for the wedding so we went to the store and they measured his neck and waist. She asked him if he wanted to slim fit. At that point he had to say yes. Could he have said no, give me the fat fit? Shirt, check.
Back to Vorstetten for dinner with his family at his grandparents house. His other aunt and uncle showed up so we had quite a large crew at dinner. More delish breads, meats and cheeses (and of course beers and wine). I tried to follow along in conversations, I'd hear a word I understood then try to piece a story together. It's exhausting not knowing what anyone is saying for 4+ hours. His grandfather was amusing because he would make up words making them rhyme. His uncle said its ok I don't understand because neither do they. I was pretty tired drinking beer all day so I called it a night at 1130 and Andy stayed up until 230 talking to his cousin.
The following day we had another amazing breakfast and took our time talking in the morning. It's so nice to relax and take it easy here. His family if very laid back so although I don't understand what's always being said I'm still very comfortable. We left for Marcelsheim France to visit his moms house and see the work she did. She had a patio added to the kitchen deck which will make a great place to eat breakfast in the mornings.
We headed back to Germany to get ready to see Rahel and Timo. She invited us to her parents restaurant before her and Timo were married by the state, tomorrow is the church wedding. We didn't know what we were being invited to. Rahel said we could wear shorts and flip flops, no dress code. We thought her family would go to the wedding and we would just have some beers beforehand. We were so wrong. Everyone was dressed in suits and I had in jeans and tennis shoes, but Andy had on shorts and flip flops! We were so embarrassed. I said go change! I even brought a second dress just in case! Andy was sticking to his ground and didn't want to. It was pretty funny watching Andy around all the guys in suits. Then of course he was the person who sat next to the guy who married them, right in the front. Way to make an impression.
Finally the pain was over and we had beers and dinner in the restaurant her family owns. Timo's sisters and friends were very nice. We talked to his friend Ben who is a forester in Germany and Timo's sister who is studying English to teach. Most people understand English which is a relief, but some are shy to try to speak it which I understand. We were supposed to meet up with the Seigmanns, Amiele was back in town, so I was stressing about the time. Finally they called the restaurant (everyone knows everyone here) and said they would just eat there so we could visit them. I felt so bad but they are very understanding. We had a great visit and ate more delish food.